Matt Downs | First Baseman

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Marlins signed INF/OF Matt Downs to a minor league contract.

He'll receive an invitation to spring training. Downs batted .241/.303/.448 with 18 homers over the last two seasons with the Astros while playing six different positions. The 28-year-old's best chance at playing time with the Marlins will probably be at second base, where the club is currently slated to go with Donovan Solano. He could also wind up seeing ample time at third if Placido Polanco's back acts up again. Sun, Jan 20, 2013 09:38:00 AM

MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports the Marlins are close to signing Matt Downs to a minor league contract.

The deal is expected to include a spring training invite. Downs batted just .202/.253/.371 in 91 games with the Astros last season. If signed, he would compete for a utility role. Sat, Jan 19, 2013 09:58:00 AM

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that the Phillies, Marlins and Rockies are showing interest in Matt Downs.

Downs hit 18 homers over the last two years for the Astros in a utility role but has put up an unappealing .230/.296/.406 career batting line. It will only take a minor league deal to sign him. Thu, Dec 6, 2012 07:36:00 PM

Kelly will miss the remainder of the 2015 season and most of 2016. This could very well be the end of the road for the 35-year-old utilityman, who appeared in just two games this summer for the Marlins.

Giancarlo Stanton admitted Saturday that his recovery from hamate bone surgery is "definitely slower" than expected.

Stanton resumed hitting off a tee recently but conceded that he's still feeling some pain in his left hand. "Getting decent -- the ball's coming off OK," Stanton said. "It's just the pain level of it." The Marlins had been hoping to get the outfielder back sometime in early August, but it sounds like it will be a bit longer. "I have to swing off the tee with no pain first, then we'll go from there," Stanton said. "I don't know when that will be. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to every day."

Alvarez was examined this week by Dr. James Andrews, who apparently recommended the shoulder procedure. The 25-year-old right-hander was limited to just four starts this season because of what was originally labeled shoulder inflammation. It's not clear if he'll be ready by next spring. Shoulders are often trickier than elbows.

Carter Capps was forced to leave Sunday's game against the Padres with right elbow stiffness.

The injury is believed to be minor, and the Marlins are listing the hard-throwing right-hander as day-to-day. He owns an outstanding 1.16 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 58/7 K/BB ratio in just 31 innings on the season.